Bellevue Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Charge

According to the plea agreement, Hernandez Valle sold methamphetamine in December 2013 to another person who was assisting law enforcement as a confidential informant. Hernandez Valle’s co-defendant, Esteban Villegas-Gamez pleaded guilty to similar charges in May 2014 and was sentenced to 46 months yesterday.

The charge is punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a maximum fine of $1 million, and at least three years of supervised release. Hernandez Valle is scheduled for sentencing on October 21, 2014, 2014, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team. Other agencies that assisted with the investigation include the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Idaho State Police. The Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team includes the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, Sun Valley Police Department, Hailey Police Department, Ketchum Police Department, and Bellevue Marshal’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney hired by the Treasure Valley Partnership and the State of Idaho to address gang crimes. The Treasure Valley Partnership is comprised of a group of elected officials in southwest Idaho dedicated to regional coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on creating coherent regional growth. For more information, visit treasurevalleypartners.org.